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Visa International today announced the appointment of Todd C. Chaffee to executive vice president of Corporate Development & Alliances. In this position, Chaffee will direct Visa Internationalâs advanced technologies, technology research, business development and alliance management groups. He will also continue managing Visa Internationalâs global strategic investment portfolio.

Chaffee has been instrumental in building strategic partnerships and alliances for Visa with both large, multinational corporations and small, emerging technology firms. He has also established Visaâs highly successful strategic investment program which has grown more than ten fold under his leadership.

Chaffee joined Visa International in 1994 as senior vice president of Advanced Payment Systems. In 1996, his responsibilities were expanded to cover Visa Internationalâs Emerging Markets & Technologies function. The same year he was appointed president of Visa Marketplace, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Visa International, which holds Visa strategic investments. Chaffeeâs responsibilities were increased again in 1997 when he was named senior vice president of Corporate Development & Alliances.

Prior to joining Visa, Chaffee held management positions at several Fortune 500 companies, including Norwest Corporation, American Express and TRW Information Systems Group. Chaffee has also helped to launch successful new businesses in several different industries. He is currently a member of the board of directors for Nuance Communications, Inc. and Visa Marketplace, Inc.

A native of Minnesota, Chaffee graduated with a bachelor of science degree with honors from the University of Minnesota Business School of Management. He also completed the Stanford Graduate Business Schoolâs advanced management program, the Harvard Business Schoolâs venture capital program and the ABAâs graduate banking school.

As the world’s best way to pay, Visa is the preferred payment brand and the largest consumer payment system worldwide with more volume than all other major payment cards combined. Visa plays a pivotal role in advancing new payment products and technologies to benefit its 21,000 member financial institutions, their cardholders and the global economy. As the leader in emerging technologies, Visa has more than 70 smart card programs in 30 countries and on the Internet, with 22 million Visa chip cards, including 8 million Visa Cash cards. Visa is pioneering SET Secure Electronic Transactionâ¢ programs to enable and advance Internet commerce. Visa’s 618 million cards, generating more than US$1 trillion in annual volume, are accepted at more than 14 million worldwide locations, including over 400,000 ATMs in the Visa Global ATM Network.

Chase Manhattan and Continental Airlines brought a new co- branded card out of the hangar yesterday. The ‘Continental Airlines VISA/MasterCard from Chase’ will begin flying through the mail later this month and will be available in the classic and platinum versions. The new product is the result of an 8-year contract signed by both firms in January. Continental’s frequent flyer bank card was formerly issued by Marine Midland. Chase formerly issued the British Airways bank card. The Continental Airlines credit card from Chase will offer new classic customers a 4,000 mile sign-up bonus and new platinum cardholders a 6,000 mile sign-up bonus. Besides earning the typical one mile for each purchase dollar charged, the Continental/Chase card offers 1,000 additional miles on each anniversary date.

CA-based Killen & Associates predicted yesterday 30% of mortgages and 40% of auto loan originations will move to the Internet by the year 2005. Killen’s report, ‘Loans Over the Internet New Opportunities and Threats’ also suggests that historic market leaders and brand loyalties will be challenged.

Diebold unveiled its new ‘1070ix’ through-the-wall cash dispenser yesterday at the CeBIT show in Germany. The new dispenser is designed to fit the smallest wall opening. The ‘1070ix’ will fit wall openings as small as 24 inches by 20.4 inches and walls as thick as 13.4 inches. Among other features a 15-inch color monitor, full motion video capability, high speed card reader and a multi-lingual thermal printer.

American Banknote Corporation announced the acquisition of MCE S.A., the fourth largest check personalizer in France, and CPS Finances S.A., the fifth largest card personalizer in France for an undisclosed amount. MCE and CPS together generated sales of over $15 million in 1997.

American Banknote will now be the leading check personalizer in France with expanded printing services, outsourcing and electronic printing capabilities (EPA) through the combination with the Sati Group, acquired by American Banknote in August, 1997.

The acquisition of CPS marks American Banknote’s entry into Europe within its Transaction Card & Systems group, which has been the company’s highest growth area. CPS is MasterCard, VISA, and Europay certified, which attests to its strict security standards, and offers card personalization and distribution for both magnetic stripe and smartcards.

Morris Weissman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We’ve continued our expansion in Europe where we see exciting growth opportunities with the emergence of the European Union. We plan to increase operating efficiencies through the consolidation of the acquired businesses with existing production facilities in France.”

Weissman concluded, “Smartcard technology was originally developed in France and we look forward to working with some of the leaders there. Smartcard applications within major industries such as transportation, communication, health and banking are numerous and growing rapidly, and we are planning to participate in that growth. We are fortunate to have Francis Lavelle, former CEO of Solaic, one of the pioneers in smartcard technology that was purchased by Schlumberger, as Managing Director of the Sati Group spearheading our entry into the smartcard arena in Europe.”

American Banknote Corporation is a leading global full-service provider of secure transaction solutions in carefully selected markets along three major product groups Transaction Cards & Systems, Printing Services & Document Management, and Security Printing Solutions. A combined strategy of operating along product lines and constant expansion of transaction activities worldwide reflects the rapidly changing field of electronic commerce. Additionally, American Banknote, via its Holographics subsidiary, is the world leader in security for financial transaction cards, including VISA, MasterCard, Discover, Diners Club International, and Europay.

This release contains forward-looking statements relating to future financial results. Actual results may differ materially as a result of factors over which the Company has no control. These risk factors and additional information are included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fourth Shift Corporation and WrightTools announced Thursday the Storefront credit card validation and prepaid cash management system for the Fourth Shift manufacturing Software System (MSS for OBJECTS). Storefront allows manufacturers to set minimum amounts due at order time. It is one of several new Fourth Shift products and complementary applications that have been developed recently to help manufacturers meet customer demands, manage changes in their operations, and increase profitability. The announcement was made at the International Fourth Shift User Group Conference in San Diego.

“Storefront was developed for manufacturers who need an over the counter and catalog sales solution,” said John Pohl, President of WrightTools. The system makes it possible to take cash-based orders and interface them with an accrual-based financial system. The system addresses the order as a cash liability until the product is shipped, at which time the cash receipt is transferred into the revenue account. The amount prepaid is reflected in an invoice generated at the time of shipment. If the order was paid in full, an invoice will not be generated. Cash, checks, traveler’s checks, credit cards, gift certificates can all be processed by the system, with reference information such as credit card or check number.

Manufacturers can use the system to verify credit cards via a bank network. Storefront supports card swipes and scanners, or the credit card number can be keyed into the computer manually. The system also provides bank reconciliation capabilities and supports user tracking for non-mechanical cash drawers.

Storefront was developed by WrightTools for Fourth Shift MSS for OBJECTS. “One of the advantages of Fourth Shift software is its ability to be integrated with best of breed third party applications such as Storefront,” said Loyd Olson. “The integration of complementary applications with MSS for OBJECTS provides our customers with a broad base of functionality that spans manufacturing, engineering, financial, sales, customer service, and distribution.”

Storefront is just one of several new applied solutions recently announced by Fourth Shift. The new MSS for OBJECTS release features an enhanced Engineering module and the Net UI thin client interface. Net UI provides high performance access to manufacturing data from anywhere via the Internet or voice grade dial up lines.

About Fourth Shift

Fourth Shift Corporation is a Minneapolis-based global application software company that develops software for manufacturing and distribution enterprises worldwide. The Company’s software has been licensed by more than 3,000 customer sites in 60 countries including 150 of the Fortune 500 U.S. companies, and more than 50 of the Fortune Global 250 industrial companies. Fourth Shift maintains close strategic relationships with leading information technology vendors Micro Data Base Systems, Inc. (mdbs) and Microsoft. Fourth Shift is also a Microsoft Solution Provider Partner. The Company’s stock trades in the United States on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol FSFT.

About WrightTools

WrightTools(TM) develops client server knowledge-based sales performance software. The software is designed to support sales transactions. It features quote management, configurator logic, decision maker, and Execview. The company software is used in a variety of industries in both nomadic and network-based versions. It provides complete communications from the customer to the shop floor, sales support tools and comprehensive visibility for sales management. WrightTools(TM) was founded in 1990 and is located in Bothell, Wash.

BannerDirect of Greenwich, CT, announced today that Kelley Pinson has been named Vice President of the South Eastern Region, effective March 26. Ms. Pinson, in this newly created position, will be reporting to Susan Lasley, Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing. “Kelley’s twelve years of diverse experience in bank marketing give her the perfect background for this new position,” says Ms. Lasley.

Based in Atlanta, GA, Ms. Pinson will be responsible for all marketing, promotion and sales for financial institutions and opening up new industry categories in the communications, retail, and entertainment markets.

“BannerDirect is poised to expand its strategic marketing expertise in new and exciting categories,” said Christine Fontana, President. “Kelley will be a vital asset to our expansion.”

Kelley Pinson’s prior positions include Vice President of Cards Product Management and Vice President of Cards Marketing for Prudential Bank; Account Executive for VISA, USA, and Marketing Manager for NationsBank. She received her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Pinson is married to Fred Pinson and currently resides in Acworth, GA.

BannerDirect is a full-service direct marketing agency for financial, entertainment, oil, and retail companies. The majority of its business has been to develop response marketing via direct mail, specifically for the credit card industry. This includes acquisition, activision, stimulation, retention and general communication programs: It specializes in bringing co-branded and affinity cards to the public, and in developing both business-to-consumer and business-to-business marketing plans. The company is currently in the process of expanding its base of clients in different industries. Its executive offices are in Greenwich, CT, and New York, NY. Production coordination and fulfillment are managed from BannerDirect’s Wilmington, NC office. Banner’s sales offices are in Milwaukee, WI; Houston, TX; Carson City, NV, and Atlanta, GA.

CyberCash and ICVERIFY reached an agreement in principle this week to merge. ICVERIFY shareholders will receive $16 million in cash and 2.3 million shares of CyberCash common stock. The merger will bring together an electronic payment software company and a payment-related services company. Under terms of the preliminary agreement, ICVERIFY will become a wholly owned subsidiary of CyberCash. ICVERIFY’s CEO, Thomas Aden, will continue to head the payment card software company. ICVERIFY’s two founders, Steve Elefant and Eric Buchbinder, will become CyberCash executives. Elefant will become EVP and Buchbinder SVP of advanced technology. The merger is expected to be completed by June 30.

Sunoco announced Wednesday it will install ATMs in nearly all its 525 Sunoco APlus convenience stores and Sunoco Food Markets. The installation will cover Sun Company’s 17-state marketing territory. McLane FSP will manage the program under a five-year turnkey agreement. Sunoco selected the ‘NCR 5670’ color monitor ATM. The deployment is expected to be completed by mid-summer. The ATMs will process through the EPS/MAC Network.

National Data Corporation (NDC) today reported record earnings of $.45 per share versus $.35 in the quarter ended February 28. After the effect of pooling of interest accounting for the PHSS acquisition, earnings totaled $.43 per share compared with $.31 last year. Both sets of figures exclude non-recurring charges.

The $.45 per share was the result of a 29% increase in revenue from $111.4 to $143.8 million and a 52% growth in operating income from $17.0 to $25.9 million. Net income for the period was $13.8 versus $9.7 million, a 42% growth. Net income reflected higher tax rates.

For the nine months ended February 28, earnings per share were $1.23 compared to $.95 last year. Revenue grew from $313.9 to $383.0 million, up 22%. Operating income increased 44% from $45.4 to $65.5 million. And net income was $35.6 million, a 33% growth over last year’s $26.7 million.

After pooling of interests accounting for the late December acquisition of Physician Support Systems (Nasdaq: PHSS), earnings per share in the quarter grew to $.43 from $.31. This was based on a 25% revenue change in the period from $136.8 to $171.5 million. Operating income grew from $18.3 to $27.9 million, a 52% increase. Net income totaled $14.9 million, 47% above last year’s $10.2 million.

For the nine months, after the effect of pooling of interest accounting, earnings per share were $1.01 versus $.87 last year, on a 22% revenue increase from $380.3 to $463.8 million. Operating income advanced 32% from $48.9 million to $64.6 million. Net income for the comparable period was up 19% from $28.2 to $33.6 million.

These figures reflect adjustments for previously announced revenue recognition conformity changes. These have the effect of reducing FY 97 and year to date FY 98 revenue and EPS.

The company previously announced that it anticipated non-recurring charges in the quarter related to the Source Informatics and PHSS acquisitions. Those charges total $111.2 million net of tax considerations. Including those charges and pooling accounting for PHSS, a loss of $2.77 per share for the quarter and $2.34 year to date was reported.

“The growth in operating income was the 13th straight quarter of greater than 30% increase. It demonstrated our ability to operate effectively on three parallel fronts,” said Robert A. Yellowlees, chairman and chief executive officer. “First, sustained growth in period financial results. Second, aggressive repositioning of our business to take advantage of new opportunities in the market. Third, investments for the future. Investments in products and services as well as in distribution channel development. And, investments through acquisition to speed access to new, related markets.

“In January, we began the integration of two businesses acquired in the back half of December — Source Informatics and PHSS.

“The strategic fit that each adds to our Health Information Services business is significant. In the two and a half months that we have operated the businesses, we have already initiated a number of programs to address new opportunities and enhance operating efficiencies.

National Data is a leading provider of health information services and payment systems solutions that add value to its customers’ operations.

When used in this report, press releases and elsewhere by management or the Company, from time to time, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s operations, economic performance and financial condition, including in particular, the likelihood of the Company’s success in developing and expanding its business. These statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, and reflect future business decisions which are subject to change. A variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the Company’s forward-looking statements, some of which include competition in the market for the Company’s services, continued expansion of the Company’s processing and payment systems markets, successfully completing and integrating acquisitions in existing and new markets and other risk factors that are discussed from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports and other filings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligations to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or thereof, as the case may be, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

AdvantEdge International Inc., announced Wednesday that its subsidiary, Push Electronic Development and Marketing Limited, has closed a trial agreement with Mobil Oil Peru, in which Mobil has decided to implement a trial of the FuelMaster wireless communications system (RFID) in several Mobil retail gasoline stations in Lima, Peru.

“This is a very significant agreement for AdvantEDGE,” said David Shneer. “It represents a key advance in the company’s strategy because

– by employing our FuelMaster technology in a “consumer / retail” application, Mobil Oil Peru will be able to offer its customers the benefits of an entirely automated refuelling procedure, eliminating the need for cash or credit cards;

– this is the second major oil company (after British Petroleum South Africa) to move forward with this consumer / retail application;

– this is the second agreement with Mobil Oil Peru, whose first implementation, at the Yanacocha mine, was not identified because of reasons of confidentiality at that time.”

Shneer added, “With respect to Mobil’s decision to conduct both the consumer trial and the Yanacocha commercial trial, we believe we are seeing a growing pattern of the FuelMaster automated refuelling system becoming the premier choice for the oil industry.”

The FuelMaster system utilizes sophisticated RFID technology to control and monitor the refuelling process. Oil companies and financial institutions can use this technology as a cashless electronic form of payment, as a loyalty program or as a means to lock in customer purchases and eliminate all unauthorized or fraudulent refuellings. Current FuelMaster customers include Shell USA, British Petroleum, Mobil Oil Peru, IBM Mexico, Total Petroleum (France), Flying J (USA) and Statoil (Sweden). FuelMaster can be utilized in both the “commercial” fleet vehicle market and the “consumer / retail” market.

AdvantEDGE’s wholly owned subsidiary, AdvantEDGE Products and Solutions Inc., holds exclusive distribution rights to sophisticated high-technology products and systems, developed by its subsidiaries, for monitoring of motor vehicle fleet operations. These include FuelMaster, a wireless communications system utilizing advanced radio frequency and smart-card technology to control the refuelling process.

The world’s widest circulating classical-music magazine, BBC Music Magazine has joined up with First USA to offer the ‘Classical Performance VISA’ card. As part of the launch First USA is sponsoring a special 116-page supplement to the BBC magazine called ‘Classical Music America’. The supplement is a music lover’s guide to cities of North America. The new VISA card offers cardholders discounts on BBC merchandise and music offers as well as special discounts on BBC subscriptions. First USA is offering a 9.99% fixed APR and no-annual-fee. The card will be available as either a Classic or Platinum VISA.